CHARLES KOECHLIN (1867-1950): Piano Works, Vol. 1 - 4 Sonatines, Op. 87, 6 excerpts from L'Album de Lilian, Opp. 139 and 149, Paysages et marines, Op. 63, Andante quasi adagio.

Description: The first of three or four discs of piano music in this ongoing series from the collaboration of the label and the Charles Koechlin Archive in Kassel. The lion's share of this disc is taken up by the 1923-4 Sonatines, light, evanescent three- and four-movement pieces whose simple themes are derived from folk music or Koechlin's own folk-like creations, and the 1915-6 Paysages et Marines, a 27-minute sequence of twelve pieces which reflect the composer's sensual and visual experiences of the Breton and Normandy coasts where he spent his childhood. These show some influences of Debussy, and fifteen minutes of sparkling lightness and tender poetry attest to Koechlin's fascination with the actress Lilian Harvey (1934-5). Michael Korstick (piano).